Earwig Treatment
How Do I Identify An Earwig Infestation?
Appearance- Earwigs have an intimidating look about them with their pincers on the end of their abdomens, even though they are in reality harmless to humans and pets. Earwigs are only the size of a small bug, ¼ to 1 inch long. Old wives tales state that they will enter your ears - hence the name, which has created an entire culture around the misplaced fear of them.
Behavior - Earwigs tend to prefer damp, peaceful environments. They will feed on plants and plant material they find available. Infestations are easy to pick out because if you see multiple earwigs within your home then most likely there is an earwig problem that needs to be addressed. Earwig control is essential to keeping the problem under control as earwigs can become a nuisance if they begin to reproduce in or around your home.
Why Could I Have Earwigs?
Earwigs are simple bugs and are looking for shelter and safety. Homes, apartments or yards can offer a safe place to live and breed which is why earwigs may be drawn to your property. They enjoy being near water, so rooms such as a bathroom, laundry room or kitchen are ideal places for earwigs to create a new home in.
Keeping your lawn cut and keeping an eye on basements and garages periodically can keep an earwig infestation from occurring, but if it has already become an issue then giving us a call for earwig removal is the next best step to reclaiming your home.
Why Should I Treat My Earwig Problem Immediately?
While most earwigs will only be in your home for shelter, some outdoor earwigs may start to eat your grass or anything in your garden. The damage that can be done is minimal, but any damage done by an earwig problem needs to be addressed. We will come to provide earwig control so that outdoor earwigs do not make it inside your residence and the earwigs that have made it inside will find a new spot to live in.
How to Get Rid of Earwigs
Earwigs are some of the creepiest insects out there. Their long body, antennae, and pincers give them an alien appearance. Plus, many people believe that earwigs will live in human ears. That is a myth, not the truth. However, it did give earwigs their name. In Old English, the insects were called ear-wicga or ear wiggler.
Earwigs may not live in our ears, but they are an annoying pest. They are omnivores and can cause a lot of damage to houseplants and gardens. You should look for signs of an infestation and remove them as soon as possible.
How Do I Spot an Earwig Problem?
There are some definitive signs that you have an earwig problem. The most common are listed below.
- Seeing an earwig.
Seeing earwigs in your home is a good sign that you have an infestation on your hands. The pest is nocturnal. That is the most likely time to spot an earwig. They also prefer cold, moist locations. They will likely be living in your basement or crawlspace. - Noticing their damage to plants.
Earwigs can cause a lot of damage to plants. Since they are omnivores, they will eat anything. That includes your prized flowers and vegetables. Earwig damage to plants looks similar to that of slugs and snails. There will be holes in the leaves and excrement on the plant. However, earwigs do not leave the slime trails indicative of a snail or slug problem. - Smelling something foul.
When crushed an earwig produces a secretion that smells extremely foul. They are a lot like stink bugs in this respect. If you smell something foul, especially after stepping on a bug, you likely have an earwig problem.
How Do I Get Rid of Earwigs?
Earwigs are not an insect you want to stay around your home or yard. They can cause too much damage to your plants. Instead, try the following options for getting rid of earwigs.
- Boric acid.
Earwigs are an insect that can be treated with boric acid. Make sure to use it in the areas earwigs are most likely to frequent. You will also need to keep it out of reach of pets and young children. - Dish soap or rubbing alcohol.
Pet- and child-safe earwig treatment options are either dish soap and water or rubbing alcohol and water. Mix the solution and use it as a spray. You can spray it on the earwigs directly or the areas they frequent. It will not remove all earwigs from your home, but it will help you keep the problem in check. - Light traps.
Earwigs are nocturnal. That means they are attracted to light. You can use light to attract them to traps. Try putting a bright light over a bucket with dish soap and water. The earwigs should scurry towards the light and fall into the bucket. - Professional pest control.
The quickest and most effective earwig treatment is to hire a professional pest removal company. They have the resources needed to ensure the earwigs get out and stay out of your home. No matter where you live, GoLocal Pest Control can help you find the best earwig removal services in your area. Contact us today.
How to Prevent Earwigs
Earwigs prefer to live outdoors. They live in moist soil and eat plant material. In fact, earwigs can be extremely damaging to gardens in large numbers. They can ruin the plants when lots of the feed.
It is rare to find earwigs in your home. But some conditions appeal to them. No matter if they are in your yard or your house, you don't want earwigs around. An infestation can cause damage to your plants and be unsightly.
Why Do I Have Earwigs?
Earwigs don't have a lot of requirements. They want food, shelter, and water. These things are most often provided outdoors. If your climate is right, you will likely have earwigs in your yard. They are less likely to come to your home, but it can happen. Here are a few reasons why you may have earwigs.
- There are plenty of moist, shady, and cool areas.
Earwigs want to live in a location that is moist, cool, and shady. This is why they are often found in piles of leaves or under logs. They prefer that climate and the safety those locations provide. If they are in your home, you will likely find earwigs near water sources, like under sinks or in basements. They may also hide under potted plants. - They have plenty of food sources.
Earwigs eat a variety of things such as mold, insects, and plant material. They will also eat human food scraps. Your home and yard likely have food sources for earwigs. That doesn't necessarily mean you will have an earwig infestation, but the more food your home offers, the higher the probability of a problem. - They can find a way into your home.
Earwigs are small insects. They can fit through tiny cracks, under doorframes and window frames, and in any other small hole. A common reason that you find earwigs in your home is that there is easy access.
How Do I Prevent Earwigs?
Preventing earwigs in your home is fairly easy. It is a lot harder to prevent them in your yard. The prevention tips below are best for stopping large outdoor infestations, but you may always have an earwig or two around.
- Remove piles of mulch, wood, or other decaying material.
Because earwigs like to live in a cool, moist location, they love wood piles, decaying material, and mulch. The fewer of these things you have in your yard, the less likely you are to have an earwig problem. - Check for earwigs in boxes or plants.
If you are bringing boxes or plants in from the outside, especially if they are damp, check for earwigs first. Earwigs like living between the pot and saucer in outdoor plants. So, make sure to check that area before bringing the plant into the house. - Contact a good pest removal company.
At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the top earwig removal experts near you. Just put your zip code into our database. You will love the multiple options you receive. It doesn't matter where you live, GoLocal Pest Control can find a great exterminator near you.
What do Earwigs Look Like?
Earwigs are one pest with a reputation that is scarier than it should be. In many languages, the name for earwig indicates an insect that can crawl in your ear. In German, the pest is called Ohrwurm (or earworm) and in French, the name is Perce Oreille (or ear piercer). The English name comes from Old English. "Wig" means to wiggle, so ear wiggles.
None of these names identify a pest that is good to have around. And, yes, earwigs can crawl into a human's ears. But they do not burrow into our brains or lay eggs in our ears. In fact, they are just one of many insects that can crawl into our ears. Earwigs do not prefer our ears at all. You will most likely find them in damp places like basements.
Knowing the stories about earwigs does not tell you what they look like. Your best defense against these pests is to notice them quickly. A big part of that is knowing what they look like.
How Many Species of Earwig Are There?
Earwigs are not a single monolithic insect. There are over 1,000 species of earwig in the world. Twenty-two species live in the United States.
Earwigs live all over the world. They do not live in Antarctica. However, they can be found anywhere it is dark and damp. They prefer tight crevices or cracks. But they can find their way into crawl spaces or basements. You may also find earwigs in your bathrooms, especially if you have a leak.
It doesn't matter where you live in the United States, you could have an earwig problem. They are scavengers and will eat just about anything. That means they will have no problem eating your houseplants if they end up in your home. To stop an outbreak, you need to identify them before they gain a foothold.
What do Earwigs Look Like?
Earwigs have an appearance that is just as scary as their reputation for burrowing into people's brains. All earwig species have a similar appearance, so one description is all that is necessary.
Earwigs have a long, flat body. They range from ¼ inch to one inch in length. The length of the earwig will depend on the species. Their coloring is also dependent on the species. They can be pale brown, dark brown, red-brown, or even black. Earwigs have two pairs of wings. One pair, the hind wings, fold under the other for protection. Earwigs do not fly often, even though they have wings.
A distinguishing characteristic of the earwig is the long pincers at the back of their abdomen. It is not unusual for other animals to have pincers. But the earwig's pincers appear on the back of their body. They look like they can do a lot of damage. They actually cannot. Earwig pincers cannot pierce human skin. They are there for protection, just not from humans.
Earwigs are a pest, but not because they are dangerous to humans. They are much more dangerous to plants. If you find an earwig in your home or yard, you should contact a good local exterminator right away. At GoLocal Pest Control, we can help you find the best company in your area.
How to Find an Exterminator to Help with Earwigs
Earwigs are not as scary as their reputation would suggest. Yes, they can crawl in-ears, but they don't do that any more than other small insects. No, they are not interested in laying eggs in your brain. But with their small size and large pincers off their abdomen, they look ferocious indeed.
Earwigs can get inside your home in potted plants or other debris. In large enough numbers they can damage plants. If you see an earwig, you should have the infestation removed as soon as possible by a licensed exterminator. Read on to learn about how to find the perfect company for your earwig problem.
What Should I Look for in an Earwig Exterminator?
There are a few things to look for when interviewing earwig exterminators. First of all, you need to make sure the exterminator can handle earwigs. Many companies do exterminate this pest, but some do not. A couple of quick questions asking about the pest control company's experience with treating earwigs and the length of their last earwig job should do it.
Other questions you should ask any potential earwig exterminators.
- What do you do to treat earwigs?
- How long does your treatment take?
- Will the earwigs come back?
- What should I do if your treatment doesn't work?
- Do you offer a warranty or guarantee for your services?
What Should I Expect from Earwig Exterminators?
As with all pest control, solving your earwig problem begins with an inspection. The technician will use it to find the earwig nest. They will also determine how bad an earwig infestation you have. Finally, they will attempt to find the entrance points for the earwigs.
The next steps in your earwig will be as follows.
- A quote:
After the inspection, the technician will provide you with a quote for their services. This quote will bear in mind the severity of the earwig problem and your preferred treatment method. You will go over this quote with the technician until everyone is satisfied. - Treatment:
Once you agree to the quote, treatment can begin. This is often a separate appointment. Treatments for earwigs can include a variety of methods. Most use some form of insecticide. The insecticide may be non-toxic and use boric acid, or it may be toxic. Make sure you know what type your exterminator prefers. The technician will likely end the treatment by telling you how to prevent future earwig problems. - Follow-up:
Some companies offer follow-up appointments. These ensure that the earwig infestation has not recurred.
How Do I Find an Exterminator to Help with Earwigs?
It is always best to look for a local exterminator. They are most likely to give you the individualized service you deserve. If you are new to local pest control, let the experts at GoLocal Pest Control help you. Our location finder provides the name of the best earwig exterminators in your area. Just put in your zip code, and you will be on your way to an earwig-free home.